Who is the root of David?

The Scriptures teach that Jesus is the root of David. In the Old Testament it was prophesied that, from the lineage of David, the Messiah would come. The prophet Isaiah said, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1). The Savior will accomplish what David and his successors on the throne of Judah had failed to accomplish. When the nation had been cut down, and only a stump remained, there would come forth from what seems to be dead roots a Branch that would grow and flourish (Isaiah 4:2; 53:2; Revelation 5:5; 22:16). This representation of Jesus as the righteous Branch is also found in Jeremiah 23:5, 6; 33:15–17 and Zechariah 3:8; 6:12, 13.

In the New testament we read about the complete fulfillment of these prophecies when Jesus Himself declared the following, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star” (Revelation 22:16). Jesus became the conqueror who would restore the kingdom to Israel (Matthew 21:9; Acts 1:6). Christ’s mission was not to restore a literal kingdom to the Jews, rather it was to gain victory in the great controversy with Satan and thus restore the kingdom in an infinitely universal sense.

Because of Christ’s victory over Satan, He has obtained the right to open the book with the seven seals which no one else in the universe can: “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof” (Revelation 5:5). Only Christ, who has exhibited an obedient life to God’s law, could manifest such a vindication to the Divine character.

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